„When I talk to you, everything just seems to fall into place in my head” – on tutoring

What is tutoring?

Tutoring is an individual relationship between a student and an experienced mentor, based on support, inspiration, and guidance in personal development. It’s not just about learning. Tutoring is above all about building self-esteem, developing talents, and showing the way to achieving personal goals.

This form of support has a long tradition, dating back to prestigious British universities like Cambridge, where each student has a tutor they meet with weekly to discuss their educational progress.

Tutoring at the Nest

Similarly, at the Nest, each student has their own tutor, whom they meet with once a week. The main goal of these meetings is to build a relationship. We believe that only in a place that provides a sense of security can a student fully realize their potential. In traditional schools, students often feel anonymous and left to themselves, which lowers their self-esteem and leads to confusion. Tutoring addresses these issues by offering every student a mentor who dedicates time to them and is ready to listen. Young people greatly value these meetings.

Tutoring up close

During tutoring sessions at the Hollow, we talk about academic progress, but that’s not the main focus. The first meetings are about getting to know each other – the young person has a chance to talk about their passions and interests. Then we focus on goals – the student independently reflects on what they want to achieve and where they’re headed. Together, we plan how to reach those goals, discussing habits that can help. Students come to understand which habits are holding them back and work on changing them. They strive to develop habits that will help them become the kind of people they want to be.

We also talk about character strength and self-improvement. The young person is not alone in this process. They have the support of an experienced companion who knows how to ask inspiring questions and assist with reflection.

Although these principles may seem structured, each relationship between tutor and student is unique. In practice, they adapt to one another, developing their own rhythm and topics for discussion. The most important thing is to stay open to the student’s needs and to discover together how to make the most of this form of collaboration.